Absorbent article having multiple graphic zones

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region, wherein the first waist region and second waist region are joined with each other such that a pair of side seams are formed and the absorbent article has two leg openings and a waist opening. At least one of the first waist region or the second waist region include a first graphic zone, a second graphic zone, and a third graphic zone, wherein the first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and the third graphic zone are disposed at a side seam of the absorbent article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles having multiplegraphic zones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other incontinent individuals children and adults) weardisposable absorbent articles such as diapers and adult incontinenceproducts to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. Trainingpants or pull-on diapers have become popular for use on children able towalk and often who are toilet training, and adult incontinence productshave become increasingly common for use on adults to assist withincontinence issues. Many disposable pull-on garments use elasticelements secured in an elastically contractible condition in the waistand/or leg openings. Typically, in order to insure full elastic fitabout the leg and the waist such as is provided with durableundergarments, the leg openings and waist opening are encircled at leastin part with elasticized bands of rubber or other materials positionedalong the periphery of the respective opening.

Disposable absorbent articles having an absorbent main body to cover thecrotch region of the wearer and a belt defining the waist opening andleg openings are known in the art. However, current executions of abelted absorbent article only comprise graphics on the main body of thearticle and not on the belt. Having coordinated and integrated graphicson both the main body and the belt of an absorbent article can improveapplication and removal of the article, as well as provide more of anunderwear-like look and feel, aiding in toilet training. Moreover, themore of an underwear-like look and feel that an absorbent articlepossesses, the more likely that a user will be willing to acceptutilizing the product.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a disposable absorbentarticle to provide an improved application and removal of the article.There is also a need for a disposable absorbent article to provide anunderwear-like look and feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region,and a crotch region. The first waist region and second waist region arejoined with each other such that a pair of side seams or closures areformed such that the absorbent article has two leg openings and a waistopening. At least one of the first waist region and the second waistregion may have a first graphic zone, a second graphic zone, and a thirdgraphic zone. The first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and thethird graphic zone may be disposed at a side seam of the absorbentarticle. The crotch region may have a crotch region graphic zone suchthat the second graphic zone and the crotch region graphic zone arealigned to create a uniform graphical element. At least one of the firstwaist region or the second waist region may have a first graphic zonedisposed adjacent the waist edge, and a third graphic zone disposed ator adjacent the leg opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used todesignate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pull-on garment in its flat uncontractedcondition showing the inner surface;

FIG. 4a is a schematic cross section view of a first embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 4b is a schematic cross section view of a second embodiment takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an exemplary disposable pull-on garment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable garment in atypical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7c is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7d is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7e is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration;

FIG. 7f is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable pull-on garmentin a typical in-use configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “pull-on garment” refers to articles of wearwhich have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and whichare pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into theleg openings and pulling the article up over the waist. The term“disposable” is used herein to describe garments which are not intendedto be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., theyare intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to berecycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentallycompatible manner). The pull-on garment is also preferably “absorbent”to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Apreferred embodiment of the absorbent article is the disposableabsorbent pull-on garment, shown in FIG. 1.

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to pull-on garmentsgenerally worn by infants and other incontinent individuals to absorband contain urine, feces and/or menses. It should be understood,however, that the term absorbent article is also applicable to othergarments such as training pants, incontinent briefs, feminine hygienegarments, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “elastic,” “elastomer,” and “elastomeric”refer to a material, which generally, is able to extend to a strain ofat least 50% without breaking or rupturing, and is able to recoversubstantially to its original dimensions after the deforming force hasbeen removed.

As used herein, the term “graphic” refers to a visual presentation andencompasses visual presentations formed from printing, aperturing,texturing, bonding, embossing, cutouts, etc.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the absorbent article 20. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the absorbent article 20. The absorbent article 20has a longitudinal centerline L1 and a transverse centerline T1 (referto FIG. 3 as well). The absorbent article 20 has an outer surface 22, aninner surface 24 opposed to the outer surface 22, a first waist region26, a second waist region 28, a crotch region 30, and seams 32 whichjoin the first waist region 26 and the second waist region 28 to formtwo leg openings 34 and a waist opening 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the absorbent article 20comprises an absorbent main body 38 (hereinafter may be referred to as“main body”) to cover the crotch region of the wearer and a belt 40extending transversely about the waist opening 36. The absorbent article20 may also comprise an outer cover layer 42 to cover the main body 38.The belt 40 may define part, or all, of the waist opening 36. One ormore of the belt 40, the main body 38 and/or the outer cover layer 42may define portions of the leg opening 34. The absorbent article 20 mayhave an indicia 46 printed thereon, which may be disposed in the firstwaist region 26 and/or the second waist region 28.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the absorbent article 20 comprises anabsorbent main body 38 to cover the crotch region of the wearer and abelt 40 extending transversely about the waist opening 36. The absorbentarticle 20 may also comprise an outer cover layer 42 to cover the mainbody 38. The belt 40 defines the waist opening 36. The belt 40, the mainbody 38 and/or the outer cover layer 42 may jointly define the legopening 34. One or more of the belt layers may extend from a first waistedge 134 in a first waist region 26 through the crotch region to alongitudinally opposing second waist edge 138 in a second waist region28 and forming a portion of the outer surface of the absorbent article20.

The absorbent main body 38 absorbs and contains body exudates disposedon the main body 38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the main body 38may have a generally rectangular shape having a longitudinal centerlineL1, a transverse centerline T1, left and right longitudinally extendingside edges 48 (hereinafter may be referred to as “longitudinal sideedge”) and first and second transversely extending end edges 50(hereinafter may be referred to as “transverse end edge”). The main body38 also has waist panels (i.e., a first waist panel 52 positioned in thefirst waist region 26 of the absorbent article 20 and a second waistpanel 54 positioned in the second waist region 28) and a crotch panel 56in the crotch region 30 between the first and second waist panels 52,54.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b , the absorbent articles 20may comprise first and second belts 84, 86 intended to encircle at leasta portion of the waist of the wearer, the first and second belt portions84, 86 being connected by a main body 38 forming the crotch region 30 ofthe absorbent article 20. The first and second belts 84 and 86 may beformed from a first belt layer forming a portion of the outer surface 22of the absorbent article, the first belt layer 82 may be formed of twolongitudinally spaced webs of material. The first and second belts 84and 86 may also comprise a second belt layer 83 forming a portion of theinner surface 24 of the absorbent article 20, the second belt layer 83may also be formed of two longitudinally spaced webs of material. Thesecond belt layer may also be discontinuous and spaced apart in atransverse direction. The first and second belt layers 82, 83 may beformed of substantially the same material or may comprise differentmaterials. The first and second belt layers 82, 83 may be formed fromnonwovens, films, foams, elastic nonwoven, or combinations thereof. Thefirst and second belts 84, 86 may also comprise an elastomeric materialdisposed between the first and second belt layers 82, 83. Theelastomeric material may comprise one or more elastic strands,elastomeric films, elastomeric ribbons, elastomeric nonwovens,elastomeric filaments, elastomeric adhesives, elastomeric foams, scrimsor combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, one or both of thefirst and second belt layers 82 and 83 may be formed from an elastomericmaterial as described above. A portion of the elastomeric material maybe directly combined with the outer cover layer. The main body 38 of theabsorbent article may comprise an outer surface 22, backsheet 60, aninner surface 24, topsheet 58, and an absorbent core 62 disposed betweenthe topsheet 58 and the backsheet 60. The backsheet may be formed of anonwoven material, woven material, films or laminates comprising acombination of one or more of these materials. In one embodiment thebacksheet is a film and nonwoven laminate wherein the nonwoven of thelaminate is the outer cover layer. In addition, the main body 38 maycomprise elasticized barrier leg cuffs 64 disposed at or adjacent theside edges of the main body. The first and second belts 84, 86 mayoverlap at least a portion of the main body and one or both of the beltportions may be disposed on the outer surface of the main body oralternatively on the inner surface of the main body. A portion of thesecond belt layer and/or a portion of the first belt layer may bedirectly attached to or formed by the outer cover layer. Alternatively,the first belt and second belt 84, 86 may comprise longitudinally spacedwebs of material forming a first surface of the belt wherein the websare folded along the waist edge, or alternatively the leg opening edge,of the belt to wrap the elastomeric material and form at least a portionof the second surface of the belt. In other words, at least a portion ofthe inner surface and outer surface of each of the belt portions may beformed from a single web of material.

The main body 38 may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet 58, a liquidimpervious backsheet 60 and an absorbent core 62 disposed therebetween.The main body 38 may additionally comprise a barrier leg cuff 64disposed along the longitudinal side edge 48. The barrier leg cuff 64provides improved containment of liquids and other body exudates in thecrotch region 30. The barrier leg cuff 64 shown in FIG. 5 comprises asingle layer of material which may be folded to form a barrier leg cuffhaving two layers. The barrier leg cuff 64 extends from the side of themain body at or adjacent the longitudinal side edge 48 toward thelongitudinal centerline L1. The barrier leg cuff may be folded along thefolding line 66 back toward the longitudinal side edge 48. The barrierleg cuff 64 may have a first barrier cuff elastic material 72 adjacentto the proximal portion 68 and a second barrier cuff elastic material 73adjacent to the distal portion 70 of the barrier leg cuff 64. The distalportion 70 of the barrier leg cuff 64 may be joined to the backsheet 60adjacent to the longitudinal side edge 48. The portion of the barrierleg cuff 64 along the folding line 66 and the proximal portion 68 may befree from attachment to any portion of the main body 38 in the crotchregion 30 such that the barrier leg cuff 64 stands up toward thewearer's body. The longitudinal ends 74 of the barrier leg cuff 64 maybe joined to the topsheet 58 at or adjacent the longitudinally opposingends of the leg cuff by an attachment means which may be any known meanssuch as an adhesive, heat bond, pressure bond or the like as shown in 5.Other barrier leg cuff embodiments also useful in the present inventionare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,931,636 and 7,695,463.

The liquid pervious topsheet 58 may be positioned adjacent thebody-facing surface of the absorbent core 62 and may be joined theretoand/or to the backsheet 60 by any attachment means known in the art. Theliquid impervious backsheet 60 is generally that portion of theabsorbent article 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface ofthe absorbent core 62 and prevents the exudates absorbed and containedtherein from soiling articles that may contact the absorbent article 20.The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet 58 and thebacksheet 60 and absorbs and retains liquids such as urine and othercertain body exudates.

The topsheet 58, the backsheet 60 and the absorbent core may bemanufactured from many known materials. Suitable topsheet materials mayinclude porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plastic films; orwoven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),synthetic fibers e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. Suitable backsheetmaterials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escapefrom the diaper while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet and may be formed from films, microporous and/or monolithicfilms, woven and nonwoven webs and the like as well as combinations ofthese materials. The woven or nonwoven webs of the backsheet may beformed of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers(e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of naturaland synthetic fibers.

A suitable absorbent core for use in the absorbent article 20 maycomprise any absorbent material which is generally compressible,conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable ofabsorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain bodyexudates. In addition, the configuration and construction of theabsorbent core may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or otherabsorbent structure(s) may have varying caliper zones, hydrophilicgradient(s), a superabsorbent gradient(s), or lower average density andlower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one ormore layers or structures). In some embodiments, the absorbent core maycomprise one or more elements including a fluid acquisition component, afluid distribution component, and a fluid storage component. Examples ofa suitable absorbent core having a fluid acquisition component, a fluiddistribution component, and a fluid storage component are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,590,136, 6,664,439 and 6,989,006.

The outer cover layer 42 may be disposed on the outer surface 22 of theabsorbent article 20 to cover at least the crotch panel 56 of theabsorbent main body 38. The outer cover layer 42 may extend into andcover the first waist panel 52 and the second waist panel 54 of the mainbody 38. The outer cover layer may form a portion of the backsheetand/or the main body. The outer cover layer 42 may be directly joined toand cover a portion or all of the liquid impervious backsheet 60 of themain body 38. The central panel 80 of the first and second belt 84, 86may be joined to the first waist panel 52 and the second waist panel 54of the main body 38 through the outer cover layer 42. Thus, the outercover layer 42 is disposed between the first and second belt 84, 86 andthe liquid impervious backsheet 60 of the main body 38. In oneembodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outer cover layer 42 is coextensive withthe liquid impervious backsheet 60. The leg elastic material 140 may bedisposed so as to extend generally longitudinally along the longitudinalside edge 48 of the main body 38. The leg elastic material 140 may bedisposed at least in the crotch region 30 of the absorbent article 20 ormay be disposed along the entirety of the longitudinal side edge 48.

The outer cover layer 42 may comprise a material separate from thematerial of the inner layer 83 and/or the outer layer 82 constitutingthe belt 40. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise two or more layers ofmaterials. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise any known materials andmay comprise materials used for the first and second belt 84, 86 asexplained above. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise a single layer ofnonwoven web of synthetic fibers, natural fibers or combinations ofnatural and synthetic fibers. The outer cover layer 42 may comprise asingle layer of hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material. Theouter cover layer may comprise a film, a foam, a nonwoven, a wovenmaterial or the like and/or combinations thereof such as a laminate of afilm and a nonwoven.

The belt 40 comprises a first belt 84 and a second belt 86 (hereinaftermay be referred to as front and back belt 84, 86) and has a ring-likeconfiguration by permanently or rethstenably connecting the first belt84 and the second belt 86 at the seams 32. The belt 40 may be ring-likeand elastic. The ring-like elastic belt 40 extends transversely aboutthe waist opening 36 of the absorbent article 20 and acts to dynamicallycreate fitment forces and to distribute the forces dynamically generatedduring wear.

The first and second belt 84, 86 may comprise any known materials.Suitable material for the first and second belt 84, 86 can bemanufactured from a wide range of materials such as plastic films;apertured plastic films; woven or nonwoven webs of natural materials(e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefins,polyamides, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers), or acombination of natural and/or synthetic fibers; or coated woven ornonwoven webs. The belt may comprise a nonwoven web of synthetic fibers.The belt may comprise a stretchable or elastomeric nonwoven, elastomericfilm, strands, ribbons or the like and combinations thereof. The beltmay comprise an inner hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material andan outer hydrophobic, non-stretchable nonwoven material.

Pull-on garments may be made by providing distinct first 26 and secondwaist regions 28 from the crotch region 30, wherein the first 26 andsecond waist region 28 are formed in part by first and secondelastomeric belts 84, 86. A main body 38 comprising an absorbent core inthe crotch region 30 is attached to the inner, wearer-facing side of thefirst 84 and second elastomeric belts 86 at each longitudinal end of themain body 38.

The present invention is directed to a pull-on garment that providesease of application and removal through the use of graphics. Further,the present invention is directed to a pull-on garment having anunderwear-like look and feel through the use of graphics, aiding in useracceptance and toilet training. In currently available pull-on garments,graphics are typically printed only on the main body of the article. Theouter layer of the main body at regions overlapping with the elastomericbelts, visible from outside the article, are typically utilized forproviding graphics. Thus, the present invention is directed to multiplezones of graphics disposed on a multi-piece absorbent article comprisinga main body and elastomeric belts in order to aid in product applicationand removal and to aid in size appropriateness of the article as well asassist in the toilet training of the wearer. The present invention isalso directed to multiple zones of graphics disposed on a multi-pieceabsorbent article comprising a main body and elastomeric belts in orderto provide an absorbent article with a more underwear-like look andfeel, leading to greater acceptance by the wearer.

The graphics detailed herein may be provided by any method known in theart which will provide a visual presentation. As non-limiting examples,the graphics may be printed in the graphic zones, created throughaperturing, texturing, cutting, embossing and/or bonding a material thatis present in the graphic zones, or combinations thereof. Exemplarytypes and methods of aperturing and/or texturing zones of absorbentarticles are disclosed in Ser. Nos. 13/893,405, 13/893,735, 13/893,634and 13/893,658 all of which are being filed concurrently with thisapplication. Printing one or more zone of an absorbent article, with orwithout additional texturing, aperturing, cutting, bonding and/orembossing in one or more zone of the absorbent article, provides theabsorbent article with more underwear-like appearance. Likewise,texturing, aperturing, cutting, bonding and/or embossing one or morezone of an absorbent article, with or without additional printing in oneor more zone of the absorbent article, provides the absorbent articlewith more underwear-like feel and appearance (e.g., softer, morecloth-like, lacey, etc.).

For pull-on absorbent articles intended for children in and beyond thetoilet training period, an underwear like appearance, as opposed to anoverall white diaper-like appearance, may have a significantpsychological influence on the child and therefore be important to fullengagement of the child in the training experience. Likewise, forpull-on absorbent articles intended for adults experiencingincontinence, an underwear like appearance, as opposed to an overallwhite diaper-like appearance, may have a significant psychologicalinfluence on the adult and therefore be important in gaining the adult'sacceptance in using the absorbent articles. Broad areas of creatinggraphics on both the main body and elastomeric belts extending from thefirst waist region, crotch region, and second waist region, is oneeffective way of providing an underwear-like appearance.

Further, graphics herein may also include indicia (e.g., printing,aperturing, texturing, etc.) for indicating the front and/or back of thearticle. Indicia may also include one or more indication of size,gender, pulling area, etc. Pull-on absorbent articles may have differentconfigurations for the front and back of the article, including but notlimited to, greater area of material in the back side for covering thebuttocks, uneven distribution of absorbent material in the crotch regionfor effectively absorbing and containing bodily fluids, etc. Unliketaped absorbent articles which may define the front and back of thearticle by the configuration of the tape and tape landing zone, thefront and back distinction of a pull-on absorbent article may not beobvious to the wearer or caregiver just by the structure of the article.As such, the front and/or back of the article may be clearlycommunicated on both the main body, the elastomeric belts andcombinations thereof to provide the expected performance of the article.

The combinations of the various graphic zones described herein, may becoordinated to create a uniform graphical element, such as commoncolors, associated shapes, common textures or patterns of texturingand/or aperturing, etc.

The first graphic zone 102 refers to the area of graphics disposed onone or more of the materials forming the elastomeric belt 84, 86disposed at or near the first and/or second waist edge 134, 138 of theabsorbent article 20. In some embodiments, the first graphic zone 102may be continuous about the waist circumference of the absorborbentarticle.

The second graphic zone 104 refers to the area of graphics disposed onone or more of the materials forming the elastomeric belt 84, 86disposed at or near the leg openings 34 of the absorbent article 20. Insome embodiments, the second graphic zone 104 may extend from the sideseam 32 of the absorbent article to the edge of the crotch region 30.The second graphic zone 104 can be continuous and form a portion of themain body graphics zone 108. The second graphic zone 104 can also becontiguous with at least a portion of the main body graphic zone 108 orthe crotch graphic zone 110 (making a composite graphic zone).Accordingly, this composite graphic zone can extend from the side seamin one waist region through the crotch and to the side seam in theopposing waist region.

The third graphic zone 106 refers to the area of graphics disposed onone or more of the materials forming the elastomeric belt 84, 86disposed between the first graphic zone 102 and the second graphic zone104. In some embodiments, the third graphic zone 106 may be continuousfrom a one side seam to the opposing side seam, and continuous from afirst waist region to a second waist region. The third graphic zone 106can also form a composite graphic zone with the main body graphic 108and/or the crotch graphic 110.

The main body graphic zone 108 refers to the area of graphics disposedon the main body 38 of the absorbent article 20. A portion of the mainbody graphic zone 108 may be disposed under portions of the firstelastomeric belt 84 and/or second elastomeric belt 86. The main bodygraphic zone 108 may be present in the same areas as the first graphiczone 102, second graphic zone 104, or third graphic zone 106 forexample, when the main body graphic zone is disposed on an outer coverlayer that extends from a first waist end edge to a longitudinallyopposing second waist end edge.

The crotch region graphic zone 110 refers to the area of graphicsdisposed on the main body 38 of the absorbent article 20 in the crotchregion 30 of the absorbent article 20. The crotch region graphic zone110 is disposed between the elastomeric belts 84, 86 and is notunderlying the belts.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a , the absorbent article 20 maycomprise a first graphic zone 102, a second graphic zone 104, a thirdgraphic zone 106, and a crotch region graphic zone 110. In thisembodiment, the first graphic zone 102, the second graphic zone 104, andthe third graphic zone 106 are present at a side seam 32 of theabsorbent article 20. The first graphic zone 102 is disposed at oradjacent a waist edge 134, 138 and extends circumferentially about thefirst waist region 26 and/or the second waist region 28 of the absorbentarticle 20. The second graphic zone 104 is disposed at or adjacent a legopening 34 and extends circumferentially about at least a portion of theleg opening 34. The third graphic zone 106 is disposed between the firstgraphic zone 102 and the second graphic zone 104 and extendscircumferentially about at least a portion of the first waist region 26and/or the second waist region 28 of the absorbent article 20. Thus, inthis embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article 20 extendsthrough the first graphic zone 102 and the third graphic zone 106 butnot the second graphic zone 104.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6a , the crotch region 30 may comprise acrotch region graphic zone 110 such that the second graphic zone 104 andthe crotch region graphic zone 110 are aligned to create a compositegraphical element that may or may not be uniform. Thus, the transitionbetween the second graphic zone 104 and the crotch region graphic zone110 may extend from the side seam 32 to an area at or adjacent the legopening 34 in the crotch region forming a uniform graphical elementaround the leg opening 34.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b , the absorbent article 20 maycomprise a first graphic zone 102 disposed at or adjacent the waist edge134, 138, and a main body graphic zone 108 disposed on the center of thefirst waist region 26 and/or the second waist region 28, such that oneor both of the first graphic zone 102 and the main body graphic zone 108are disposed at the side seams 32 of the absorbent article 20. The firstgraphic zone 102 is disposed at or adjacent the waist opening 36 andextends circumferentially about the first 26 and/or second waist region28. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6b , the first graphic zone 102may comprise an indicia 46. The indicia 46 may also be present in themain body graphic zone 108. Thus, the first graphic zone 102 and themain body graphic zone 108 may be coordinated to create a compositegraphical element that may or may not be uniform. The indicia 46 may beformed through printing, aperturing and/or texturing of the material inthe particular graphic zone(s).

As further shown in FIG. 6b , a crotch region graphic zone 110 may bedisposed at or adjacent a leg opening 34 and extend circumferentiallyabout at least a portion of the leg opening 34, wherein the firstgraphic zone 102 and the crotch region graphic zone 110 are coordinatedto create a composite graphical element that may or may not be uniform.Thus, in this embodiment, the first graphic zone 102 is disposed at theside seam 32, a waist edge 134, 138, and at least a portion of the legopening 34. In alternate embodiments, the entirety of the side seam 32and the entirety of the waist edge 134, 138 are disposed in the firstgraphic zone 102.

FIGS. 7a-7f are additional perspective views of exemplary disposablepull-on garments in a typical in-use configuration.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numeral values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising at least oneelastomeric belt, a first waist region, a second waist region, and acrotch region, wherein the first waist region and second waist regionare joined with each other such that a pair of side seams are formedsuch that the absorbent article comprises two leg openings and a waistopening, wherein at least one of the first waist region and the secondwaist region comprise: at least a portion of a main body graphic zone, afirst graphic zone, a second graphic zone, and a third graphic zone,wherein the first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and the thirdgraphic zone are disposed at a side seam of the absorbent article, andwherein the first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and the thirdgraphic zone are all disposed on the at least one elastomeric belt, andwherein the main body graphic zone is disposed on a main body of theabsorbent article underneath the at least one elastomeric belt, andwherein the crotch region comprises a crotch region graphic zone suchthat the second graphic zone and the crotch region graphic zone arealigned to create a uniform graphical element, and the crotch regiongraphic zone is not underlying the at least one elastomeric belt.
 2. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first graphic zone is disposedat a waist edge and extends circumferentially about the first waistregion and the second waist region of the absorbent article.
 3. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the third graphic zone is disposedbetween the first graphic zone and the second graphic zone and extendscircumferentially about at least portions of the first waist region andthe second waist region of the absorbent article.
 4. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the absorbent articleextends through the first graphic zone and the third graphic zone butnot the second graphic zone.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the main body graphic zone is disposed on the main body of theabsorbent article underneath a portion of the third graphic zone.
 6. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the transition between the secondgraphic zone and the crotch region graphic zone extends from the sideseam to the leg opening forming a uniform graphical element around theleg opening.
 7. An absorbent article comprising at least one elastomericbelt, a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region,wherein the first waist region and second waist region are joined witheach other such that a pair of side seams are formed such that theabsorbent article comprises two leg openings and a waist opening,wherein at least one of the first waist region and the second waistregion comprise: a first graphic zone disposed adjacent the waist edge,a second graphic zone is disposed at a leg opening and extendscircumferentially about at least a portion of the leg opening, and amain body graphic zone disposed on the center of the first waist regionor the second waist region, wherein the first graphic zone and the mainbody graphic zone are disposed at the side seams of the absorbentarticle, wherein the main body graphic zone is disposed on a main bodyof the absorbent article underneath the at least one elastomeric belt,and wherein the crotch region comprises a crotch region graphic zonesuch that the second graphic zone and the crotch region graphic zone arealigned to create a uniform graphical element, and the crotch regiongraphic zone is not underlying the at least one elastomeric belt.
 8. Theabsorbent article of claim 7, wherein the first waist region is a firstelastomeric belt, and the second waist region is a second elastomericbelt, and the first graphic zone is disposed on at least one of thefirst or second elastomeric belt.
 9. The absorbent article of claim 7,wherein the first graphic zone is disposed adjacent the waist openingand extends circumferentially about the first and second waist region.10. The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the first graphic zonecomprises an indicia, wherein the indicia of the first graphic zonecomprises indication of the front and/or back side of the article. 11.The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the first graphic zone and themain body graphic zone are coordinated to create a uniform graphicalelement.
 12. The absorbent article of claim 7, further comprising acrotch region graphic zone disposed at a leg opening and extendingcircumferentially about at least a portion of the leg opening, whereinthe first graphic zone and the crotch region graphic zone arecoordinated to create a uniform graphical element.
 13. The absorbentarticle of claim 7, wherein the first graphic zone is disposed at theside seam, a waist edge, and at least a portion of the leg opening. 14.The absorbent article of claim 7, wherein the entirety of the side seamand the entirety of the waist edge are disposed in the first graphiczone.